Summer was in the air Monday evening at the USD No. 480 board meeting. More recent meetings averaged longer than two hours – this was approximately half that time.

Among the more lengthy discussed agenda topics was moving from two to eight assessment tests each year. Jill Stout presented an explanation of the new Common Formative assessment tests to be implemented throughout the next school year.

“There are three groups of teachers that have started to work on building these assessments for their grade levels,” Stout said. “Basically, what we’re doing is aligning curriculum to create a good feel of when to teach which tested indicators. And then when they will teach the non-tested indicators.

“Once that has been established, they are building what we call Common Formative assessment to use every four and a half weeks,” she said. “So that gives you eight total assessments in reading and math, for second grade through high school. The first five tests are over the tested indicators to prepare them for state assessment, and the last three are over the non-tested indicators that are a prerequisite for introduction to the tested indicators of the next grade level.

“It will give a common focus for every teacher at each specific grade level. A time frame as to when they should be teaching what standard.”

Also discussed was the purchase of ESL materials.

“Back when we were talking about the $500,000, couldn’t part of that have gone towards paying for these materials?” asked board member Reid Petty.

“This is bilingual funding that we have to spend because of our increased enrollment this year,” answered Jerry Clay.

“So this is bilingual funds or Tier I funds?” questioned board president Dan Diepenbrock.

“These are bilingual funds,” Clay said.

“These are Literacy First materials for the ESL students, so some of them are bilingual books, others are leveled readers,” said Laura Cano. “It is for all grade levels.”

The agenda item to purchase ESL materials for K through 6th grade was passed.

The Memorandum of Understanding between Head Start and USD 480, which had been previously discussed by the board, was brought for signatures.

“We are going to have eight students come to USD 480,” Cano said. “We are going to have an integrated classroom with Head Start children, special education children, and four-year-old at risk children. This is the memorandum of understanding we are entering with Head Start. At a later point we will have a contract as Head Start is going to pay us $2,500 per Head Start kid that attends our school. This is just saying we will do our part and they will do their part.”

Many agenda items were motioned to be approved, seconded, and approved by vote at a speedy pace. These items included renewing the Microsoft licensing agreement, dual language 5th grade material purchases, concrete repairs on the east drive at the high school, district carpet and tile replacement, a contract with PACT, the purchase of science supplies and removal of the asbestos and unused boiler from the central offices to free up more usable space.

Mr Haskell was thanked and congratulated for his stewardship in food services funding, likely ending the year in the black once May figures are calculated. It was mentioned that, as far as the board can remember, this has never happened before.

Mr. Stout asked the board to consider moving to one meeting each month for most of the year and returning to two during the busier months. This possible change will be discussed during the first meeting in July.

Transfer of the following certified employees for the 2010-11 school year was approved: Suzanne Parvin from Kdg. at Washington to Title 1 at McKinley and Washington, Jeannette Moore from 2nd grade to Kdg. at Washington, LaDonna Hall from 2nd grade to 3rd grade at Southlawn, Jamie Howell from 3rd grade to 2nd grade at Southlawn, Cole Ely from the Learning Center to technology/business at South, Polly Brown from Title 1 to 4th grade at Sunflower, April Strickland from 4th grade to instructional coach at Cottonwood, Barbara Brond from 5th grade at Cottonwood to instructional coach at West, Dedre Schneider from instructional coach at West to Math instructional coach at South and Bonnie Garcia from 6th grade at Cottonwood to science at West.

The resignation letters of Annette Martinez, 1st grade, Washington, Catherine Lynch, counselor, Cottonwood and John Tuttle, science, South were approved and effective immediately.

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The High Plains Daily Leader and Southwest Daily Times are published Sunday through Friday and reaches homes throughout the Liberal, Kansas retail trade zone. The Leader & Times is the official newspaper of Seward County, USD No. 480, USD No. 483 and the cities of Liberal and Kismet. The Leader & Times is a member of the Liberal Chamber of Commerce, the Kansas Press Association and the Associated Press.

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